If You Spare the Rod Are You Really Spoiling?

As a parent we’ll all encounter some form of defiance from our little ones. So if you’re in the same boat tell me if you can relate. Here’s a quick dialogue of the hitting spats:

Son: swats the air “NO!”

Mom: pleasant tone “No? What do you mean No?”

Son: walking closer while swatting air “No!”

Mom: sarcastically “Ok Nez”

Son: swats mommy’s face. cries.

Oh no he didn’t!! Yet, calmly I grab his arm and reply with a “Gentle hands Nez”. That’s usually followed up with a repeat swat. And yet another cry. Sometimes he’ll follow it up with a laugh but you never know.

My thought process: nip it in the bud. However, hitting cannot simply be ‘nipped’. According to Dr. Rob with Natick’s Pediatrics P.C., it’s a way more involved process than just nipping.

Well, prior to finding Natick’s site, I thought I’d resort to some old-fashioned techniques. So then I tried the ignoring his hitting. UMMMM NOOOOO. That only works in certain situations — like when a child is wanting attention. But what I soon found out is toddlers do not hit or bite for attention. Dr Rob informs parents, toddlers do it because they want to know the boundaries.

When a child continuously exhibits unwarranted behavior it’s our responsibility, as an adult who knows better, to reiterate the desired behavior.

“Spare the rod, spoil the child” ring a bell?

Well, that’s exactly what we DON’T want to do. What good is it to fight fire with fire?

Toddlers are not enlisted in the militia. They’re not trying to vindicate themselves. They simply want to know there will be consistent boundaries in place for them, in order to feel safe.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not condoning the toddler terrorism, but I’m avid about not resorting to corporal punishment.

One thing parents should keep in mind, when the open palm or tiny chomping teeth make contact with yours or someone elses body, is educate your child on why they shouldn’t hit.

Flash ’em a frown.

Keep wording in the positive.

Tell them why they shouldn’t hit.

Be consistent.

Follow all the sternness up with a little loving hug.

I’m gonna take Dr. Rob’s advice and see where it gets me. Wish me luck.

Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.

I hope you never quit! This is among the finest blogs Ive ever read. Youve got some mad skill here, man. I just hope that you simply dont lose your style due to the fact youre definitely among the coolest bloggers on the market. Please maintain it up due to the fact the net requirements a person like you spreading the word.

Hey I am so excited I found your website, I really found you by error, while I was searching on Askjeeve for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say thanks for a fantastic post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the awesome job.

Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Your website is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this blog. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found just the info I already searched all over the place and just could not come across. What an ideal website.